French Apple Stores Forced to Comply with Local Labor Laws

Before a big product launch, Apple retail employees are typically enlisted for "overnights," where they prepare for the next day's big event under the cover of nightfall -- but that could change in France in order to comply with local labor laws.

The Verge is reporting that seven Apple retail stores in France have been banned from forcing their employees to work the night shift, a decision made in compliance with the country's existing labor laws.

According to AFP, a complaint against Apple was filed by a group of six labor unions in France, resulting in a €10,000 damage award and a warning from the Paris court that Cupertino could face additional fines of €50,000 for each incident in the future.

French labor laws state that employees can only work between the hours of 9pm and 6am when providing "social services" or to "maintain economic activity." In Apple's case, the stores officially close at 9pm, but it's not uncommon for employees to work until 11pm tidying up for the next morning.

"We are asking only that the law be respected," remarked labor union SUD representative Thomas Bordage.

The decision handed down Tuesday isn't the last Apple will hear about this problem, either: An even higher court is expected to hand down a decision on the case in mid-April.